Method and apparatus for x-ray photography



June 19, 1934. JACKSON 1,963,702

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHY Filed Sept. 24, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l J 45 Invcnlor flarve jL Jacisom 9%- y June 19, 1934. H. N. JACKSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR X-RAY PHOTOGRAPHY Filed Sept. 24, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V Patented June 19, 1934 f ITED PHOTOGRAPHY METHOD AND APPARATus FOR x-RAv Harvey Nelson Jacks0n', San Diego, Calif. Application-September 24, 1932,.Serial No. 634,766 3 Claims. (01.25am

My invention relates to methods and apparatus for X-ray photography, and relates particularly to a method and apparatus for facilitating X-ray photography of the oral regions.

It is an important object of my invention to provide amethod and apparatus for simplifying theobtaining of accurate relation of the photographic medium and the X-ray or other similar emanation producing apparatus, so as to reduce 'the time and effort required, as well as the amount of skill necessary in this form of photography. Y

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the reading of the'follow- .ing description in connection with the drawings, wherein for purposes of illustration 1 have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: i

Figure 1' is a general elevational view of the device of the invention being usedupon a subject. showing the relation of theemanation producing device thereto.

Figure 2 is a side'elevatio'nal view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.

Figure 3 is atop plan view of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a plan view of the lower arm of the embodiment. 7 I I Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through one ofthe brackets showing how the companion arm is removably carried thereby; I V

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the upper arm. Figure 'Tis a view-similar to Figure 1 showing the upper arm removed from the embodiment, the whole being in readiness for the photographe a lower arm 9. The upper arm 8 comprises a a the plate support The-lower arm comprises a similarly formed but shorter arm 9 which has secured to its under 7 side a film'support plate 16. It will be observed that. the film support plate 16 is' attached inwardly of one end of the arm 9 as indicated at 17 and that the remainder of the plate is offset I 1 away from'the underside of the arm 9 so as to provide for receiving a portion of the film 18 frictionally between the adjacent ends of the arm 9 and the plate 16.

It will be. observed that the arm 9 including 16 is of less length than the arm 8. v r

Receiving the opposite'end of the; arm 9 is a bracket 19 whichissubstantially similar to the bracket 10. Thetriangular portions 20 of the bracket 19 are not as widely spaced as the triangular portions 14 of the bracket 10, so as to be capable of being-disposed within the triangular portions 14 of the bracket 10.

The pivot bolt 15 traverses the enga'ged triangular portions 14 and 20, while a bolt 22 similarly traverses the triangular portions 14a and 21; The pivot 22 is not adjustable, but the pivot bolt 15 has a head on one endand is threaded on the opposite end'so as to receive a clamping fingerv nut 23 which may be adjusted onthe bolt so as' to clamp the brackets in selected angular relation with respect to each other;

"One or both of thearms'14, 14a of the bracket 10 have the lower portions, pointedand provided with a; straight edge 24 to co-operate with radial graduations 25 which are located on one or both of the arms 20; 21 of the lower bracket 19, and

radiate from the pivot bolt 15' or the pivot 22 as the casemay be. 7

The upper arm 8 and the lower arm 9 being easily removable from the brackets may be changed for each subject, and sterilized arms substituted thereforQfor use with the next subject. I shall now describe the nature of mymethod and the means by which it is carried out. The

purpose of the embodiment herein described and shown, vis-to enable a person taking X-rays of the teeth'in the maxillary or superior jaw, to quickly and accurately determine the proper angle at which to set the X-ray tubeso that distortion i'nthe radiogram will be eliminated.

The method and operation of the device are asfollows:

As an example let us say it is desired to X-ray an upper front tooth. The X-ray film 18 is held firmly and flatly in the end of the short or lower arm 9 of the device. 7 18 and arm 9 against and back 01, the tooth. In

The patient holds the film this position the plane of the film 18 is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tooth.

To take a radiogram without distortion, the tube rays must be perpendicular to a plane which bisects the angle between the plane of the tooth axis and the film plane. The device will determine that bisecting plane and permit the operator to set his X-ray tube perpendicular to it. It operates in this Way when the pointer 24 on the upper bracket 10 points to 1 on the graduated are 25, the arms of the device are parallel, that is the upper arm 8 is parallel to the film plane. The operator then pivots the upper arm 8 until it is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tooth and takes a reading on the are 25. He then moves the upper arm 8 back until the pointer 24 is equidistant between 1 and his last reading. The upper arm 8 is now parallel to a plane bisecting the angle between the film plane and the longitudinal axis of the tooth.

v Theoperator then sets the face of his X-ray tube 6 parallel to the upper arm 8 and may now remove this arm 8 from its bracket 10. The radiogrammay then be taken without distortion.

The following are among the advantages of the device of the invention:

1. The device makes possible a standardized technic for making dental radiograms. The film angle, the tooth angle and the mean angle are exactly obtained, and the tube rays may be directed accordingly.

2. By the use of this device both the long axial film plane and the medic-distal film plane are quickly and exactly established outside of the mouth, thus enabling the operator to exactly direct the tube rays at the film.

3. The device prevents the bending of films, thus avoiding distortion of the print.

l. New sterile tongue depressor sticks may be used for each patient.

5. By quickly and certainly establishing the correct mean angle, the device insures pictures of true anatomical proportions and diagnostic,

value.

6. The device provides a method of real diagnostic value for checking up on all tissue conditions, because the same angle may be used every time if care isv taken with the technic.

'7. The device enables the operator toobtain a clear picture of the apical areas of the buccal roots of the superior first molars, because the tube ange may be changed for each root with certainty. Y

8. This device enables the dentists nurse to take pictures without distortion, thus saving his time.

Although I have shown and described herein a. preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of, the invention thereto,

and any change or changes may be made in material and structure and arrangement of parts, and in the sequence and the duration of the steps and operations concerned in the method, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a pair of holder brackets, a hinge connection between said brackets, a direction arm carried by one of said brackets, a film holding arm carried by the remaining one of said brackets, cooperating means on said brackets for indicating the relative angularity of said arms, said film holding arm having means to hold a radiographic film in longitudinal extension beyond one end ofsaid holding arm and against the lingual side of the part to be radiographed at an angle to. the axis of said part, said arms being carried by portions of said brackets remote from said hinge connection so that said arms are spaced from each other when brought into parallel relation. 7

2. A device of the character described comprising a pair of holder brackets, pivot means traversing portions of said brackets and hinging them together, arm holding means on each of said brackets, a direction arm removably inserted in the holder means of one of said arms, a film arm removably inserted in the holder means of the remaining one of said arms, cooperating means on said brackets for indicating-the relative angularity of said arms, film clamping clip on said film arm for holding a film extending beyond the outer end of said film arm.

3. A device of the character described comprising a pair of L-shaped brackets, pivot means traversing foot portions of said brackets and hinging the brackets together, arm holding means on the standard portion of each of said brackets, a direction arm removably secured by the arm holding means of one of said brackets to extend longitudinally of the standard portion thereof, a film arm removably secured by the arm holding means of the remaining bracket to extend longitudinally of the standard portion of the remaining bracket, cooperating means on the foot portions of said brackets for indicating the relative angularity of the direction and film arms, film clamping means on said film arm to position a film against the lingual side of the part to be of the film and to have the axis of the source of film affecting emanations adjusted at rightangles thereto to enable securing an undistorted radiograph of said part. I

HARVEY N. JACKSON. 

